July 2026 Summaries

Netlify has introduced Ask mode for Agent Runners, a read-only option designed for investigating projects, databases, and codebases without making changes or generating Deploy Previews. Available alongside the existing Build mode, Ask mode gives supported agents including Claude Code, OpenAI Codex, and Google Gemini access to repository context and read-only database branches, allowing users to ask natural-language questions about application behavior, data, security, performance, architecture, and errors. It can help teams explore unfamiliar code, identify potential security or performance concerns, review implementation decisions, compare documentation with code, and query application data without writing SQL or risking database modifications. Users can switch from Ask to Build within the same run when an investigation leads to a concrete task, retaining the existing context and avoiding the need to restate the issue.

Netlify has introduced a feature where new teams on its Credit-based plans will have private projects by default, giving users greater control over the visibility of their deployments. This change reflects the evolving nature of projects, where initial deployments are often works in progress rather than public releases. The feature allows projects to remain private from the first deploy, with access restricted to team members and invited collaborators who can log in to view the site, while others see a page explaining restricted access. Users can adjust the default settings for project visibility, and existing projects remain unaffected unless manually changed. Once a project is ready, users can choose to make it public, rename it, or keep it private while inviting collaborators. This flexibility is available on Free, Personal, and Pro Credit-based plans, allowing teams to manage project privacy without needing to create or share passwords.

Netlify has been focusing on improving Agent Experience (AX) by advocating for the use of a stateless architecture in server design, as outlined in the MCP 2026-07-28 specification. This new approach simplifies server development by eliminating session management, thus reducing operational complexity and making it accessible to a wider range of developers. Stateless MCP servers can be deployed like any other HTTP service, allowing for scalable, reliable, and easy-to-maintain tools that enhance AX by minimizing interruptions and failure modes. Additionally, the specification introduces the Extensions framework, which includes MCP Apps and Tasks, allowing for consistent and portable user experiences across different clients. This development opens the door for the creation of AI applications that can be universally applied, exemplified by features like an airline seat picker that can be rendered in various AI clients. Netlify's implementation of the MCP server supports the latest specification and is backwards compatible, offering an open standard under the Linux Foundation that promotes broader participation in server development.

The author's childhood experiences of crossing the Berlin Wall and witnessing the stark technological contrasts between East and West Berlin have left a lasting impression, drawing parallels to the current situation in the United States regarding access to advanced technologies. While observing the absence of Chinese cars in San Francisco compared to their presence in Europe and Mexico, the author reflects on the possibility that the U.S. might soon face restrictions on using advanced AI models from China, potentially leading to a technological lag similar to a "second world" experience. Despite the U.S. currently leading in AI and innovation, the author expresses concern over possible changes that could create a digital divide, emphasizing the importance of maintaining open access to technology. They highlight the signing of the "Open Weights and American AI Leadership" document, underscoring a commitment to openness and competition in the tech industry, and advocate against creating self-imposed barriers to technological advancement.

Netlify's Drop feature allows users to deploy web projects by simply dragging and dropping a folder onto the platform, providing a live URL without the need for an account or initial setup. Launched in 2013 as BitBalloon, this tool initially served static sites and evolved over the years, facing challenges such as potential abuse and internal debates about its utility. Drop's anonymous deployment capability was expanded in 2023 to support AI agents, allowing them to deploy sites without a Netlify account. Despite discussions about discontinuing Drop, it remained popular for its simplicity and efficiency, leading to several updates, including a major redesign in 2026 that introduced build support for dynamic sites. This evolution reflects Netlify's commitment to simplifying the process from creation to online publication, with Drop serving as a foundational element for both beginners and advanced AI applications.

Netlify has introduced four additional tiers for its Pro plan, allowing teams to receive up to 20,000 monthly plan credits at a flat rate, which can lead to cost savings by reducing the effective cost per credit compared to purchasing additional credits on demand. These new tiers are optional and aim to address feedback from Pro customers about the unpredictability of credit usage and monthly statements. By selecting a tier that aligns with typical usage, teams can benefit from more predictable billing, as well as the ability to roll over unused credits into the next billing cycle, which provides extra flexibility for handling fluctuations in usage. The increased tiers offer lower costs, more straightforward billing, and the capacity to manage temporary surges in demand without immediately needing extra credits, all while existing Pro plans and credit systems remain unchanged unless users choose to opt-in.

Netlify and Anthropic have collaborated to integrate Netlify support into Claude Design, enabling a seamless transition from design to live deployment with a single click. This partnership allows creators to connect their Netlify account to Claude Design once and then easily deploy their projects through the Share menu or by typing "Deploy to Netlify" in the Claude chat. The integration transforms publishing into a fluid part of the creative process, allowing for rapid site deployment and continuous updates without manual re-uploads. Beyond static site deployment, users can enhance their projects with Netlify's Agent Runners, which provide full-stack capabilities such as databases, authentication, serverless functions, and more, facilitating the growth of a design into a comprehensive application on the same platform.